In the dark hours before dawn on Friday, a tragic incident unfolded on Interstate 10 in Ascension Parish as a man lost his life in a harrowing head-on collision. Louisiana State Police Troop A responded around 1:30 a.m. to the scene where 39-year-old James Burns of Amite was pronounced dead. The Louisiana State Police provided details of the crash.
Traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 10, near mile marker 171, Burns encountered an eastbound 2013 Freightliner tractor-trailer. With no seatbelt to secure him, Burns's 2022 GMC Sierra collided head-on with the Freightliner. According to officials, the Freightliner's driver, who was properly restrained, suffered moderate injuries and, having worn his seatbelt, was transported to a local hospital.
The collision was severe enough to engulf Burns's vehicle in flames upon impact. Authorities are still investigating why Burns was driving the wrong way on the interstate. Standard toxicology samples were collected to determine if impairment played a role, according to the Louisiana State Police. In response, officials stated, "Troopers wish to remind motorists to always make responsible choices when driving: avoid impairment, fatigue, and distractions." They emphasized that wearing a seatbelt could have changed the outcome. "While not all crashes are preventable, simple precautions like these can save lives," the statement added.
